Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
– Afghanistan
– Lebanon
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Venezuela
AFGHANISTAN
The World Food Programme (WFP) warns that funding shortfalls are forcing life-saving food and nutrition programmes to be scaled back at the very moment they are needed the most.
WFP said that child food insecurity rose to impact 47 per cent of the population in the first quarter of this year. Colliding crises, including conflict, unemployment, elevated food prices and reduced humanitarian funding, have driven this alarming rise in malnutrition.
The World Food Programme pointed out that this year, remaining nutrition programmes were crippled by a severe shortage of nutrition products driven by conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Pakistan border for nine months. In Afghanistan nearly 3.7 million children are projected to suffer from acute malnutrition, while 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding women are also expected to be malnourished – without immediate investment, these figures are set to rise.
LEBANON
Today marks six years since the devastating Beirut Port explosion. Jean Arnault, Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL), today expressed his unwavering solidarity with all those affected and paid tribute to their relentless pursuit of truth, justice, and accountability.
He said that efforts must be redoubled to advance the judicial proceedings and bring them to a conclusive outcome. To this end, he calls on all relevant actors to take the necessary steps to facilitate swift progress in the case.
Mr. Arnault also underscored the importance of advancing structural reforms to strengthen and safeguard the independence of the judiciary as a cornerstone of effective state-building and Lebanon’s reform agenda.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-08-04